Indtroducing Birthing Positions
Birthing positions may seem to you to be an issue that is widely discussed throughout Internet, profoundly described in all sorts of medical and non medical books and finally well understood by women themselves. But is that really truth? Reality seems to be a little different. Just look at the high rates of (sometimes unnecessary) c-sections, highly medically managed births and common use of medical instruments such as forceps or vacuum device. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to convince anyone that all above mentioned ways are anyhow bad. Every woman is different, every childbirth has it's own challenges and sometimes complications. The goal of this text is not to condemn or criticize but rather to give you a practical tool that will help you to at least partially gain control over your birthing body.
Choosing appropriate positions during labour is one of the factors that can significantly speed up birthing process, relieve pain and and therefore make any sort of medical intervention unnecessary. However, to be able to fully benefit from support that different types of birthing positions can offer, you need to invest some time. Not only couple weeks before your due date but much, much earlier. Frankly - as soon as you find out that you are expecting. Obviously, there are different stages and ways of those preparations. Until 14 weeks of gestation all you need to do is to relax, rest and gather some information. You can look for some antenatal classes such as yoga or pilates in your neighbourhood, buy some books or DVDs that you can exercise with or get some handy equipment such as birthing ball (also known as exercise ball, yoga or Swiss ball). Above all - enjoy this time! As soon as 14 weeks are gone and you feel that your energy levels are rising, than is the right time to take action.
There are two types of activity that you can take. First kind of exercise is focused on development or sustaining of your general good shape, supporting cardiovascular and muscular system. You can start regular walks, preferably every day, length and speed depending on your general fitness level. Swimming is a great option too. Cycling or jogging are recommended only to those women who have been active in this way before they got pregnant. Second kind of activity is based on performing particular exercises and positions that are focused on strengthening and opening (lengthening) particular muscles or areas of your body. Many of those positions resemble actual birthing positions (such as squatting or all fours position). Prenatal yoga is one of the best activities in this group provided that the classes are taught by experienced and qualified instructor.
In my opinion, combination of those both types of exercise is optimal. In fact, when it comes to labour, you most probably won't remember the exact positions. Your body will choose and adapt most suitable option for the situation. All you need to do is to give your instincts a chance to speak up and the best way to learn that is to get in tune with your body when you are expecting your wonderful baby.
Choosing appropriate positions during labour is one of the factors that can significantly speed up birthing process, relieve pain and and therefore make any sort of medical intervention unnecessary. However, to be able to fully benefit from support that different types of birthing positions can offer, you need to invest some time. Not only couple weeks before your due date but much, much earlier. Frankly - as soon as you find out that you are expecting. Obviously, there are different stages and ways of those preparations. Until 14 weeks of gestation all you need to do is to relax, rest and gather some information. You can look for some antenatal classes such as yoga or pilates in your neighbourhood, buy some books or DVDs that you can exercise with or get some handy equipment such as birthing ball (also known as exercise ball, yoga or Swiss ball). Above all - enjoy this time! As soon as 14 weeks are gone and you feel that your energy levels are rising, than is the right time to take action.
There are two types of activity that you can take. First kind of exercise is focused on development or sustaining of your general good shape, supporting cardiovascular and muscular system. You can start regular walks, preferably every day, length and speed depending on your general fitness level. Swimming is a great option too. Cycling or jogging are recommended only to those women who have been active in this way before they got pregnant. Second kind of activity is based on performing particular exercises and positions that are focused on strengthening and opening (lengthening) particular muscles or areas of your body. Many of those positions resemble actual birthing positions (such as squatting or all fours position). Prenatal yoga is one of the best activities in this group provided that the classes are taught by experienced and qualified instructor.
In my opinion, combination of those both types of exercise is optimal. In fact, when it comes to labour, you most probably won't remember the exact positions. Your body will choose and adapt most suitable option for the situation. All you need to do is to give your instincts a chance to speak up and the best way to learn that is to get in tune with your body when you are expecting your wonderful baby.
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